Thurston Quarter Horses In the News:

Futurity Horse Trainer Spotlight · March 23, 1999

Paul Thurston
by Kathryn Boggetta

Paul grew up in Centerville, Indiana. He is a graduate of the University of Findlay, with bachelors of Equestrian Science. Paul also has Bachelors in Marketing and a minor in Business. He credits his education for broadening his business skills and for developing his communication skills.

Paul was inspired to be a pleasure trainer by an early mentor, Dewayne Jaynes, who had won the very first 2-year-old Pleasure Futurity held at the Quarter Horse congress. While attending the University of Findlay, Paul spent his summers and vacations working for Clark and Sarah Bradley. After graduation he worked for the Bradley's and later Chris Arnold. He eventually leased a barn in Findlay, Ohio, a highly competitive region for horse trainers. Even though Paul jokes that he was "starving" while on his own, his future wife placed in the Novice Amateur Pleasure at the Congress that year. Paul later worked for Brent Tincher and most recently Donnie Dickerson. While employed by the Dickerson's, Paul closed the year by winning the '98 Congress Western Pleasure Open Maturity Finals (but received 2nd on the tie breaker). Under his guidance, Lotto Flash won the Amateur Western Pleasure class at the '98 congress and also became the World Champion Amateur Western Pleasure winner at the '98 Quarter Horse World show for amateur owner Kami Yost-Rossman.

Couple Trains Quarter Horses

by Sue Stuart

Versatile.

This is the word that Paul Thurston uses most to describe the quarter horses he works with and trains every day. "The quarter horse is an actual breed", Thurston said Monday at his farm just outside Tarboro. "They're working horses and they are now geared to pleasure riding and showing. I train them to Western Pleasure riding and Hunter Under saddle. They're the most versatile horse right now."

When you drive up to the Thurston's operation off Procter Farm road you can see a few horses in a paddock or maybe a horse or two on the hot walker. But after walking around with the Thurston's for a while, it dawns on you that you're seeing these lovely, calm animals everywhere.

"We have 31 horses here right now; 17 of them are my own" he said.

Thurston grew up in Centerville, Indiana, and went to the University of Findlay in Ohio. He has a degree in marketing, specializing in Equestrian studies. He met his wife Tami, in college. She has a degree in marketing and equine science. But most of all, they both have a love of horses and it shows.

Dr. Crawford, who many Tarboro residents remember as a local optician, owned a 55-acre horse farm off Proctor Road. When it came time for him to sell his farm, he happened to meet the Thurston's who were looking for just a spread. Crawford wanted to see his dream of a championship horse farm in Tarboro and he saw a way with the couple to make that dream come true.

The office in the huge horse barn is adorned with photos of many champions the Thurston's have turned out. But horses don't become champions by themselves. It literally takes years of expertise, patience and intuition about each animal's temperament to turn out winners.

"We work with entry level riders and horses" Thurston said. "We do all levels, actually. We teach people and horses to ride and go to show."

Not one time during a lengthy visit did Thurston caution about a kicking or biting horse. All the animals are amazingly tranquil, curious and gentle. Each day they are ridden or put on the walker to stay in shape. Just before a horse, or horses, are going to show, they are ridden and worked with more intensity, but not one animal on the farm just sits around doing nothing - well maybe "Sylvia" the burro and a pony don't exactly earn their keep but Tami has a love of burros and she tries to raise one each year.

"I've also got a little hobby going" Thurston said, as he attempted to call his longhorn cows into view. They eventually showed from the far end of the field, and looked like nothing less than the animals seen in the old western movies.

A four-month-old colt was hanging out in a paddock with "Sylvia". He is a bit green and hasn't had much handling yet.

"We have great hopes for him." Thurston said, explaining that his parents are champions.

The quarter horse was first name for its speed in a quarter mile, but was found to be about the best all around animal for just about any type of showing or pleasure. The quarter Horse Congress, held in October each year in Columbus Ohio, is the second largest convention of any kind in the nation. It comes in only second to the Democratic and Republican national convention.

Thurston said today's economy hasn't help his business. Keeping training and showing a horse is expensive. The horses can range from about $8,000 to $250,000. The Thurston's typically charge $750 a month for training and feeding the animals. The price also includes riding lessons once a week. Of course the price can go up depending on the greater intensity of training for a horse and rider.

"But this is all I've ever done"; he said, "It's the only trade I know. I should tell you that some people still use these horse to run a quarter-mile. That's just pure speed."

Services Offered:

• Conditioning for Sale

Training Available:

• English Pattern Classes
• English Rail Classes
• Advanced Horsemanship
• Beginner Horsemanship
• Intermediate Horsemanship
• Western Pattern Classes
• Western Rail Classes

• Amateur Riders
• Open Riders
• Youth Riders

Membership/Affiliations:

• AQHA Professional Horseman
• NCQHA Member
• NSBA Member
• APHA

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